Hatching Eggs / Paypal CHAT Thread

[DMRippy]

Anybody got a link to info on quail? Hubby thinks I should do quail..... he thinks they can free range and will come back to their pen

But still he might be interested in quail.

 

[cluckitall]

I don't know that there is a correlation between protein and my mom's kidney issues. She just has kidney issues because of the diabetes and has to control certain things.... potassium is one. She really is lacking in protein, she takes protein. She has something I can't think of the name.... something with the veins in her brain and it is caused by a LACK of protein. I was just making a point about how gradual kidney damage is... even if you don't see it.

Gotchya. Yes -- that's true of a bunch of health issues, but that one's particularly insidious because there are so few warning signs. I swear, it's hard enough to eat right even if you're healthy! Working around a major condition like diabetes or kidney disease makes it really difficult, I know

 

[cluckitall]

Anybody got a link to info on quail? Hubby thinks I should do quail..... he thinks they can free range and will come back to their pen

But still he might be interested in quail.

Don't disabuse him of the notion till after you get them!!!

 

[DMRippy]

Quote:
YEAH.... that is what I was thinking too

 

[Lilwanis]

This is how I do fodder. I have a six day system that involves three bins with drainage and one that has no holes that I use for soaking. I use plastic rubbermaid bins that measure 10x14x6. Half of this is more than enough for my eight birds.

It took some trial and error to figure out how many holes to drill, but this is what has worked:



Initially we only drilled around the perimeter but found that the middle got slimy and stinky.

Step one, measure out the fodder:



We started with three cups and that was waaayyy to much. I use 1.5 cups, but could do 2 cups if the birds ate or needed more of it.

Step two, pick out chaff (according to fodder websites and the fodder thread here, that can help prevent mold):




Step three, I rinse thoroughly for about one minute. I agitate the seeds as I rinse and do that until the end of day three:




Step four, soak for 24 hours. Many will only soak over night. It is easier for me to do this part in the evening so I let it soak for 24 hours:



I place the rinsed seeds in the "drain" container, into a container that I have not drilled holes in.


Then I cover the wheat with 2x more water than seed.


I put the lid on for the soak period.

That's all there is to starting a batch. After 24 hours, I rinse for about 30 seconds. For the next 36 (give or take) hours, I place a wet paper towel over the seeds. I do this until I see the root sprout.




Rinse and repeat every twelve hours.



These are the three different stages for my system: Soak, sprout, fodder. I will feed half of the one on the far right in the morning. Also, once it is green, I don't water any more except a brief misting if it looks dry.



Finally, this is how I stack from day to day. I didn't think to get a shelving system, so I carry these stacked as they are too and from the sink. They sit by the window, but only really see light once there is green.

Hopefully that wasn't a pic overload and was easy to understand.

ETA: As a comparative on usage here, this amounts to 3/4 cup of wheat a day (that they can't quite finish though the eat most of it). When feeding just scratch I feed half of a large scoop that amounts to about 2.5 cups. WIth fodder, they get scratch sometimes as an additional treat. Also, they go through less of the layer pellets. I plan on utilizing brewer mash sometime soon, I just need to create space!

 

[Lilwanis]

I apologize for the pic overload there, but I did say I would do this tonight, lol.

 

[mendocinosunris]

Awwwww.... - Hey - do you have rocks in your incubator? I was thinking of using something to regulate the heat better - but I didn't think the small incubators would fit rocks.. you have just given me an idea....

I should add heat sink to my bator, I have not really thought about it. Would help if the electric ever was off for a little while. Might save on the electric bill too

My baby.... I mean YOUR new BABY!

Congrats, gramma!

 

[DMRippy]

GRAMMA...... LOL. I have a 2 year old, a 4 year old and a 25 year old... and 3 granddaughters.... hehe... so that is NOT a first. They came before the chickens and they LOVE to see the babies and one loves to play with the mealworms.

 

[deelake71]

Thank you all for sharing!

I now use equine pine pellets for bedding and love it!
Made debs flock bagels and they were yummy and need to make more cause they are all gone!
I've started growing fodder in small scale for my birds. Today they get to try it for the first time!
Next to start is fermenting feed.

 

[kraftyladies]

Morning all!!